Re: [Harp-L] Lee Oskar Minor Tuned Harp

[Ken Hildebrand <airmojoken@xxxxxxxxx>]

Be sure to check out Lee Oskar's music... he uses all the tunings that he sells.

Click on the "Music" link on the left at:

http://www.leeoskarmusic.com/

There are 25 of his songs there with the harmonica tunings used.

Great music and harp playing !

Ken H in OH


--- On Wed, 7/8/09, Tom Halchak <thalchak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: Tom Halchak <thalchak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Lee Oskar Minor Tuned Harp
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 6:12 AM
> I just received a Lee Oskar minor
> tuned harp in the mail yesterday.  It's a Dm.  I
> didn't know what to expect, but I couldn't wait to play
> it.  I am admittedly not very strong (yet) in my music
> theory.  What a unique and beautiful sound it
> makes!  Just running up and down the holes produces the
> equivalent of what would be a very complex riff on a major
> tuned diatonic.  I have only had it for about 12 hours
> and have only been able to play it for a half hour or so and
> have already found three songs that really fit on the minor
> tuning.
> 
> Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone
> Summertime
> When Johnnie Comes Marching Home Again
> 
> All these can be played in, what appears to me, as the
> first position and they sound great.  I can play these
> on a major tuned harp but just try Ain't no Sunshine When
> She's Gone on the 1-5 holes  on a major tuned harp - it
> is full transitions from half step bends to full step bends
> and has more twists and turns than a roller coaster. 
> It's a neat tune to play but sometimes if you don't hit the
> bends just right in the transitions it can sound pretty
> sloppy (for me at least).  On the minor tuned harp it
> just fits.  Sounds beautiful.
> 
> It seems to me that the minor tunings would be great for
> jazz.  Am I wrong? 
> Can anybody offer some suggestions as to what type or even
> some songs that are better played on a minor tuning?
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Tom Halchak
> Clearwater, FL
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